SAFE WORK PRACTICES
Type of Work:
Fire and Use of Fire Extinguishers
Date Prepared:_______________
Revised:_______________
Purpose:
Good housekeeping is essential in the prevention of fires. Fires can start anywhere and at any
time. Therefore it is important to know which fire extinguisher to use and how to use it.
Guidelines:
Always keep fire extinguishers visible and easy to access. Fire extinguishers have to be
properly maintained to work well. Where temperature is a factor, ensure that care is taken in
selecting the right extinguisher.
Types of Fires
Class A:
These fires consist of wood, paper, rags, rubbish and other ordinary combustible
materials.
Recommended Extinguishers
Water from a hose, pump-type water can, pressurized extinguisher, or soda acid
extinguishers.
Fighting the Fire
Soak the fire completely — even the smoking embers.
Class B:
Flammable liquids, oil and grease.
Recommended Extinguishers
ABC units, dry chemical, foam and carbon dioxide extinguishers.
Fighting the Fire
Start at the base of the fire and use a swinging motion from left to right, always
keeping the fire in front of you.
Class C:
Electrical equipment.
Recommended Extinguishers
Carbon dioxide and dry chemical (ABC units) extinguishers.
Fighting the Fire
Use short bursts on the fire. When the electrical current is shut off on a Class C fire,
it can become a Class A fire if the materials around the electrical fire are ignited.
The various types of extinguishers purchased, used, and tested must be in accordance with the
recognized standards.
*
For further information see the appropriate current Occupational Health and Safety Legislation and ACSA ToolBox
Brochures.
SAFE WORK PRACTICES
Type of Work:
The Use of Cleaning Solvents and Flammables
Date Prepared:_______________
Revised:_______________
Purpose:
Cleaning solvents are used in day-to-day construction work to clean tools and equipment.
Special care must be taken to protect the worker from hazards, which may be created from
the use of these liquids. Wherever possible, solvents should be nonflammable and
nontoxic.
The foreman must be aware of all solvents/flammables that are used on the job, and be
sure that all workers who use these materials have been instructed in their proper use and
any hazard they pose.
Guidelines:
The following instructions or rules apply when solvents/flammables are used:
1. Use nonflammable solvents for general cleaning.
2. When flammable liquids are used, make sure that no hot work is permitted in the area.
3. Store flammables and solvents in special storage areas.
4. Check the toxic hazards of all solvents before use. Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS).
5. Provide adequate ventilation where all solvents and flammables are being used.
6. Use goggles or face shields to protect the face and eyes from splashes or sprays.
7. Use rubber gloves to protect hands.
8. Wear protective clothing to prevent contamination of clothes.
9. When breathing hazards exist, use the appropriate respiratory protection.
10. Never leave solvents in open tubs or vats — return them to storage drums or tanks.
11. Ensure that proper containers are used for transportation, storage, and the field use of
solvents/flammables.
12. Where solvents are controlled products, ensure that all employees using, or in the
vicinity of use or storage, are trained and certified in the Workplace Hazardous Materials
Information System (WHMIS). Ensure that all WHMIS requirements are met.
* For further information, see the appropriate current Occupational Health and Safety Legislation.
SAFE WORK PRACTICES
Type of Work: Defective Tools
Date Prepared:_______________
Revised:_______________
Purpose:
Defective tools can cause serious and painful injuries. If a tool is defective in some way,
DO NOT USE IT.
Be aware of problems such as:
 Chisels and wedges with mushroomed heads.
 Split or cracked handles.
 Chipped or broken drill bits.
 Wrenches with worn-out jaws.
 Tools which are not complete, such as files without handles.
 Broken or inoperative guards.
 Insufficient or improper grounding due to damage on double-insulated tools.
 No ground wire on the plugs or cords of standard tools.
 An on/off switch not in good working order.
 A cracked tool blade.
 The wrong grinder wheel is being used.
 The guard on a power saw has been wedged back.
Guidelines:
To ensure the safe use of tools:
•
•
•
never use a defective tool.
double check all tools prior to use.
ensure that defective tools are repaired.
* For further information, see the appropriate current Occupational Health and Safety Legislation.
SAFE WORK PRACTICE
TITLE
Portable Ladders
GENERAL
Protecting workers from injuries associated with the use of portable
ladders
Portable ladders should only be used when there are no permanent or
temporary stairways or work platforms available for task.
Safe work procedure
Manufacturers specifications
PPE
As per safe work procedure
Manufacturers specifications
Supervisors are responsible to facilitate and/or provide proper instruction to
their workers on protection requirements and training
Work site inspection
Selection of equipment
1. All ladders shall be inspected prior to performing a task.
2. Wooden ladders shall not be painted.
3. Conductive metal ladders or wire or wire reinforced wooden ladders
shall not be permitted in energized areas.
4. Ensure surface is level and firm.
5. Ensure ladder is tied off and set at the proper angle.
6. Ladders should not be climbed higher than the third step from the top.
7. Three points of contact should always be maintained when climbing up
or down.
8. Ladders should not be erected on boxes, tables, scaffold platforms,
man lift platforms, or on vehicles.
9. A ladder shall not be placed against an unsafe support.
APPLICATION
PROTECTIVE
MECHANISMS
SELECTION
AND USE
SUPERVISOR
RESPONSIBILITY
WORKER
RESPONSIBILITY
* The information presented in this publication is intended for general use and may not apply to every
circumstance. It is not a definitive guide to government regulations and does not relieve persons using this
publication from their responsibilities under applicable legislation. The Alberta Construction Safety
Association does not guarantee the accuracy of, nor assume liability for, the information presented here.
Individual counselling and advice are available from the Association.
SAFE WORK PRACTICES
Annual Review
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